DattaPeetham Office

Persons of all faiths are welcome at Datta Peetha. However, facilities are limited, and are primarily maintained to accommodate devotees of His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. As such, visitors are requested to obtain Hotel Accommodations in the city of Mysore, and visit the ashram daily to attend the ashram programs and activities. Those seeking a brief stay in the ashram premises should attend ashram programs consistently for at least a week or more before making inquiries about staying. The Ashram Administrator will handle such inquiries. No visitors will be permitted to stay while Sri Swamiji is out of station. During major functions, ALL newcomers are required to find accommodations elsewhere.

EVEN FOR THOSE PERSONS KNOWN TO THE ASHRAM STAFF AND TO SRI SWAMIJI, advance permission should be asked before making arrangements to visit and stay in the ashram. This permission may be sought by letter, phone, fax, or E-mail, to
H. V. Prasad, personal secretary to His Holiness.
Please write, phone, fax or E-mail well in advance of your proposed travel plans.

DO NOT FORGET, ONCE YOUR PLANS ARE FINALIZED, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE ASHRAM ABOUT YOUR ARRIVAL DATE, NUMBER IN PARTY, AND EXPECTED DURATION OF STAY. PLEASE CARRY WITH YOU PHOTO COPY OF PASSPORTS OF ALL MEMBERS IN YOUR FAMILY / GROUP, PASS PORT PHOTOS OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY / GROUP. YOU NEED TO SUBMIT THEM TO THE ASHRAMA OFFICE WHEN YOU ARRIVE. IT IS A GOVERNMENT REGULATION.

All visitors to the ashram are expected to maintain a satvic lifestyle during the duration of their visit. Vegetarianism and abstinence from cigarettes, drugs and alcohol are the basic tenets. Respect for ashramites, the local population and all other visitors to the ashram is expected. Respect for the local customs is also required, and should not be limited to decent, non-provocative attire and conduct. It is anticipated that the focus of interest for all visitors will be the darshan and the presence of His Holiness, and His teachings. One should participate in the various spiritual and educational activities offered by the ashram.

First time overseas travellers may find this section helpful. It is best to begin make preparations weeks or even months before your proposed journey.

The first step is to procure a current, valid PASSPORT from the government of your own country. Next you can apply to the Indian Consulate (Embassy) located within your country, for a VISA which allows you to enter and stay in India for a limited, designated time period. The Indian Consulates are usually located in major cities. A three or six month tourist visa may be sufficient for your needs. (Please DO NOT list Datta Peetha as the responsible party for your visit in India.) Persons desiring to stay longer in India should try for a different type of visa.

Your travel agent may provide all the information you need for your journey, such as how to apply for a passport, the addresses and phone numbers of Indian Consulate, how many bags you are allowed to carry on the flight, what is the weight limit. Of course, their first job is to provide you with flight tickets. The prices can vary dramatically depending on the airline that you choose.

Some bargain airlines are:

Kuwaiti Air

Gulf Air

Air India

Malaysian Air

Other good airlines are:

British Air

Singapore Airlines

Lufthansa

Air France

Emirates

All the above airlines have daily direct flight to Bangalore.

Regardless of your port of departure, we recommend that for your first visit you should fly to Bangalore city in Karnataka state. Depending upon where you are flying from, and which airline you are using, you will need to have your travel agent arrange a connecting flight from either Bombay, Delhi or Madras to fly into Bangalore. Several airlines are now flying to Bangalore directly. They are Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Air Lanka, British Airways, Emirates and Gulf Air. Arriving directly removes the hassle of transfering in Bombay or Delhi in the night. At the arrival hall at the Bangalore airport you will find several taxi stand desks where you can hire a taxi directly to Mysore. Ashrama gates close at 11 PM. So, please stay in a hotel if you arrive late night. Travelling by road from Bangalore to Mysore after 7 PM is not advised.

You should allow ample time to make your connecting flights to insure that you will be able to clear customs and change airlines. You should keep in mind that you may need to change from an international airport to a domestic one depending on which city you first fly into.